Radio Currents Online - Jan 28 - Feb 3, 2008

Radio Currents Online - Jan 28 - Feb 3, 2008

Jan 28, 2008 1:04 PM

News

The End of Analog Cell Service Washington - Jan 28, 2008 - On Feb. 18, 2008, FCC rules will no longer require cellular telephone companies to provide analog service. The FCC issued a notice to notify consumers of the specifics. It appears that very few wireless telephone users will be affected by the sunset.

Sprint and T-Mobile no longer provide analog services, so their customers will not be affected. Customers of AT&T Mobility, Verizon Wireless, Alltel, US Cellular, Dobson and Cellular One may be affected if an analog-capable handset is used. Any companies that provide analog service must notify their customers prior to discontinuing analog service.

The FCC notice provided some simple checks for consumers to determine if they have analog services. Features such as text messaging, Internet browsing, a media player, an integrated camera or a SIM card are obvious signs of a digital phone.

Because radio stations may have many phones in use, it's possible that an old phone is still in use somewhere. It's a good idea to check the phone inventory.

The FCC notice stated that some alarm systems may use an analog radio link through a cell service provider to communicate with the monitoring service. These systems could also be affected by the sunset. Alarm companies are supposed to contact their clients if they will be affected by the sunset.

SBE Launches SBE-News Indianapolis - Jan 31, 2008 - As part of its ongoing effort to better communicate with its members, the Society of Broadcast Engineers has launched the SBE-News e-mail newsletter. Distributed twice each month, the newsletter provides information about SBE programs and activities to its members.

The SBE has published a print newsletter called The Signal for many years. The Signal is published every other month and is mailed to all of the society's more than 5,500 members. In 2007, the SBE launched the SBE Roundtable, an e-mail forum for to SBE members to discuss technical issues, provide technical support through the society's professional networking, and discuss general SBE matters.

SBE members with a current e-mail address on file at the SBE national office are already receiving the newsletter. SBE members who are not receiving it but would like to should contact the national office.

Business

Bay Country Celebrates 10 Years Bay Country Broadcast Equipment in Baltimore is celebrating 10 years in business as of Jan. 30, 2008. The company supplies the radio industry with quality used equipment. Visit the company online at www.baycountry.com.

Moseley Moves to New Location Santa Barbara, CA - Jan 29, 2008 - Moseley Associates has moved its headquarters to 82 Coromar Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93117. The main telephone number 805-968-9621 and all department phone numbers and e-mail addresses remain the same.

"The new, modern facility gives Moseley the additional space it needed to support the success of its product lines," says Dave Chancey, broadcast sales manager.

Moseley began operations at its previous location in 1968. The company has already begun serving customers from the new building.

Moseley works with distributors and agents in more than 70 countries to support more than 15,000 microwave systems in service in more than 120 countries. In addition, Moseley has supplied more than 5,000 remote control systems for aviation, utility, satellite, telecommunications and broadcast equipment.

IDC Awarded $2.47 Million Contract Extension From Canadian Government Ottawa, ON - Jan 29, 2008 - The Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency (CFPSA) has exercised its contract option for International Datacasting Corporation to continue to provide radio and television broadcast services to Canadian Forces personnel serving overseas. This is the third year of the contract awarded to IDC in 2006 that had a total value of more than $7 million during the three-year term.

IDC delivers live news, sports, entertainment and regional programming and special events for the Canadian Forces Radio and Television (CFRT) network. CFRT broadcasts television and radio programming in both official languages 24/7 to Canadian Forces and troops deployed around the world.

Spinvox has partnered with WNYC Radio, the largest American public radio station, based in New York, to enable greater listener interactivity during the station's ongoing coverage of the Feb. 5 multi-state primary, dubbed "Super Duper Tuesday." The special coverage will be hosted by WNYC's Brian Lehrer, who will get on-the-ground updates from public radio reporters from the 22 states holding primaries that day. SpinVox will be utilized in a special segment throughout each hour of coverage entitled "America's Exit Poll."

Greater Media has chosen Axia Audio to provide a large-scale IP-Audio routing system for its Philadelphia cluster, home of legendary rocker WMMR and sister stations WMGK, WBEN, WJJZ and WPEN. Greater Media will use Axia gear to interface 63 remotely-located audio servers with more than 400 concurrent audio streams to the on-air studios at its One Bala Plaza location.

People

Wiler Promoted to VP of Technology for Jones Radio Networks New York - Jan 25, 2008 - Eric Wiler has been promoted to vice president of technology for Jones Radio Networks (JRN). Wiler is in his second stint with JRN. He first joined the company in the early 1990s as a part-time engineer, eventually working his way to director of engineering. He left in 1998 to work for Premiere Radio Networks, but returned in 2001 to supervise the launch of JRN's Starguide platform and manage numerous projects including the conversion of the JDAS receiver platform. Wiler will now direct the efforts of all technical departments within JRN including broadcast engineering, distribution services and information technology.

Linear Acoustic Names Cardone as Sales Director Lancaster, PA - Jan 29, 2008 - Linear Acoustic has appointed Don Cardone to the role of sales director for the Americas. Cardone, who joins Linear Acoustic with more than 25 years of experience in broadcast sales management, will head the company's new office in Maplewood, NJ. In his new role, he will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with customers, broadcast systems integrators, distributors and sales representatives in North, Central and Latin America.

Prior to taking his new position with Linear Acoustic, Cardone was a product sales manager for Pro-Bel America's Vistek software and hardware, which he sold directly to most major U.S. broadcasters. Earlier, as national sales manager for Vistek Electronics, Cardone opened the company's first North American office and oversaw direct sales and the efforts of independent representatives across the United States and Canada. He has also held national and regional sales management positions at Sorceron, Crosspoint Latch and Video Corp. of America.

Cardone will report to Tim Carroll, president and founder of Linear Acoustic.

Products

Neural-THX Surround Used for Super Bowl XLII Broadcasts Glendale, AZ - Feb 1, 2008 - Some Super Bowl TV viewers with a Neural surround decoder will be treated to a new audio experience at this year's Super Bowl. Neural Audio, THX and the NFL have agreed to deliver the HD international broadcast of Super Bowl XLII in Neural-THX Surround.

A total of 57 international broadcasters will televise the game to 223 countries and territories in 30 languages with the HD signal going to 30 broadcast partners and 28 countries. Neural-THX Surround encodes the 5.1 surround mix to be delivered via a stereo audio path. Viewers can decode the 5.1 mix using any AV receiver featuring Neural-THX Surround.